Outdoor Wood Boiler Ultimate Summer Shutdown Checklist

It may not feel like Spring yet in many parts of the US, but warm weather is coming soon! Warm sunshine, blossoms popping, and rabbits everywhere... Spring is not far away.

For many of us that also means it is time to shut down our Outdoor Wood Boiler. Fortunately, this is a very easy process that can be done in a very short amount of time - so please save this email newsletter so that you don't forget these important steps:

1.) First, watch this video HERE "Summer Shut Downfor a quick refresher of the "Summer Shut Down" process. Here is the link to copy and paste if needed:

2.) Be sure to follow all safety warnings! (Don't you just hate it when you open an owners manual for instruction and

have to read five pages of safety warnings before you actually get to the REAL INSTRUCTIONS?! 

We hate that too, but we honestly don't want anyone to get hurt.  Lawsuits? Well, our customers are very smart when it comes to safety. Just please remember to be safe!) 

3.) Put in TWO Boiler Creosote Remover Sticks in the firebox THREE DAYS before shutting down your outdoor furnace. Creosote Remover Sticks are best creosote remove sticks that make creosote and soot super easy to clean. These creosote remover are SUPER EASY because they require no measuring and will simply dry up harmful creosote in your wood stove. Click HERE for more information and to order online.

4.) Allow the fire to completely burn down. You may wish to preserve your dry coals for Fall Startup. The reason many people do this is because if you start your furnace in the fall with a load of dry coals (instead of firewood), you will have far less condensation/moisture/creosote in your furnace.

Remember that even well-seasoned wood contains at least 20% moisture and that will always complicate starting up a cold furnace, especially a GX model. 

To save your dry coals, load your furnace with a large load of wood, and allow it to burn the moisture out of the wood - this will require several hours depending upon how fast you are using the heat.

Then simply shut off the fan switch and smother the fire for a few days to completely stop all burning. Then remove those coals and place them on dry ground, or in a metal container until the final steps below are completed.

5.) Remove all the ashes and lightly scrape the firebox. Be sure that all ashes are removed. Dry ashes are harmless, but if left in your outdoor wood stove over the summer, these dry ashes will absorb moisture and create an acidic paste that will eat through your steel firebox.

6.) Clean the furnace filter.  If you have asked this question "Do boilers have filter?", the answer is definitely yes! So, if you do not have a water filter, click HERE to read the article "Why Should I Have A Filter For My Outdoor Boiler System?"

7.) Is your boiler due for its periodic COMPLETE WATER FLUSH? If you have not FLUSHED your boiler water in the last four years, you must do this now.

Other circumstances also require a complete flush, such as using unauthorized treatment chemicals in your wood burning stove - click on this link HERE to read "When Should I FLUSH My Outdoor Boiler?".

8.) Add the required amount of Liquid Armor water treatment. You have made a big investment in your outdoor boiler, and if you don't apply a wood boiler water treatment and properly treat your outdoor wood burner water, it is similar to driving a car without oil.

It will only be a matter of time before your furnace will be destroyed from corrosion. Click HERE for more information on outdoor boiler water treatment.

9.) Send a water sample to the Outdoor Boiler Lab for your FREE water test so you can have confidence knowing that your investment is protected with the best corrosion inhibitor! Instructions for submitting a water sample to the Outdoor Boiler Lab are found HERE. 

10.) Make sure to REMOVE the chimney cap and clean out the chimney! This is very important and often overlooked - remove the chimney cap, clean the inside of the chimney with a wire brush, then vacuum out the entire area with a shop vac. 

Some customers complain that removing the chimney is difficult; this is to be expected if you overlook doing so every year.

Also, clean the deflector plate using the D-Plate Brush. Push the wooden handle down the chimney from above and push it towards the front until it stops.

Then open the front door, reach up and grab the handle and pull the D-Plate brush through. Do this several times.

Then, from the front of the furnace, pull the pull rod to its stop, then turn it clockwise until you can pull it past the stop. Pull it towards you all the way until it scrapes off the entire deflector plate. For more info on Pull Rod Best Practices, click HERE.

If you need to purchase outdoor boiler chimney parts and necessary chimney cleaners CLICK HERE.

11.) Outdoor Boiler Door Seal - Has your door seal been replaced in the last 2-4 years? If not, replace the door seal as needed. Click HERE to read our article "Problems Caused By A Leaky Door Seal."

12.) Turn the power off at breaker/power source - Or to protect and prolong the life of your outdoor boiler pump, leave the power on and allow the pump to circulate. Your choice. If you do this, turn off the blower fan and unscrew the light bulb. Click HERE to read our article "Should I Keep My Pump ON All Summer?" 

13.) Check the Owner's Manual for full details. 

 Thoroughly cleaning your outdoor wood furnace will ensure added years of reliable service and comfortable heating. Some furnace owners like to oil their firebox as added protection for the summer months. If you don't plan to shut down your furnace through the summer as a way of heating a pool or your hot water, it is still necessary to perform this annual maintenance.

Note that if you operate your furnace during the summer months for any reason, please be sure to follow the instructions found in the newsletter entitled "Why You Should NEVER “Top OFF” Your Outdoor Wood Furnace" found at this link HERE:

To purchase other outdoor wood boiler parts visit our online store!